Study Reveals How Ashdod Hospital Operated Under Fire on October 7

A new study examining the performance of Assuta Ashdod Public Hospital during the initial hours of the October 7th Hamas attacks found that years of drills and a protected emergency room enabled staff to maintain high medical standards despite ongoing rocket fire. The research, published in "Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness," interviewed 19 medical and administrative staff members who worked during the assault.

The study highlighted that routine mass-casualty drills had prepared the staff, allowing them to act instinctively and focus on unforeseen problems rather than task allocation. The hospital's fortified emergency department was also crucial, enabling continuous treatment without interruption during air raid sirens. These factors allowed the hospital to treat patients at a high medical standard even under direct threat.

However, the research also uncovered challenges that drills could not fully anticipate. These included staff being called up for military reserve duty simultaneously, employees hesitating to come to work due to threats against their families, a lack of reliable information about the unfolding events, and difficulties in transferring patients to non-protected areas within the hospital. Communication systems were also affected, limiting the hospital's awareness of the number and condition of incoming casualties.

Researchers recommend that hospitals worldwide update their emergency preparedness to account for prolonged combat scenarios where the hospital itself is under threat. They suggest practicing for extended crises, repeated waves of casualties, communication system failures, and staff shortages. The study also calls for improved coordination between civilian hospitals, emergency services, and the military for faster information sharing, pre-arranged transportation for healthcare workers during conflict, cross-training staff for critical roles, and developing real-time patient distribution mechanisms based on hospital capacity.

Assuta Ashdod Hospital's CEO, Dr. Galit Kaufman, stated that the study is a "tribute to the hundreds of staff members who acted professionally, with dedication and courage." She added that the hospital is proud its experience is being analyzed to help other institutions prepare for emergencies, emphasizing the importance of learning and improvement.